HURTLED
THROUGH TIME, Sean Michael Sterling, landed in the midst of a May Day
celebration he didn’t understand, assuming the role of Laird Sterling.

ILLIGITAMATE
CHILD OF NOBILITY, Reagan Douglas searches for a way out of her half brother’s
house.

EXCERPT

New York City 1895

"I dinnae
ken what this contraption could be. I must be aff my heid," he said
reverting back to the old language his great grandfather had spoken from time
to time.Sean Michael Sterling walked
around the tall red object he'd just come across in Central Park. His heart
thundered with the realization this was an anomaly and for some reason...

"Is this a
fire hydrant?" he murmured totally intrigued. Cautiously stepping closer,
he rested a hand on the object of his fascination. The hackles on the back of
his neck stood on end. The thing was smooth and touching it sent shivers up his
spine. If this was a hydrant, it sure could hold a ton of water.

For some reason...
his mind shifted and he thought time machine—Jules Verne—his favorite book.

He leaned in and
smelled, nothing, just the scent of metal. He didn't recognize the odor. When
he stepped back, he caught a hint of Daphne floating on the air. A slight breeze
sifted through the meadow, filling his senses with new cut grass, wet dog, and
something he couldn't quite identify.

Thoughts of
pixie dust came to mind.

I am off my head.

A small dog ran
around his heels, yipping and barking. "Crazy dog." Sean leaned down
and rubbed the dog's ears. “You look like a bandit. Wonder where you came from?
Go on, now. Where's your owner?"

The dog sat
down, wagging his tale and stared at him. It seemed the animal was telling him
he wasn't going anywhere."Now,
Bandit, you need to go find your owner. I'm not one to be taking you home with
me. Don't think my landlord would appreciate a dog in the building."

Strangely he was
the only one in the park, or at least this corner of it. The sound of carriages
could be heard in the distance. He suddenly felt isolated and completely alone.
The damn thing compelled him to know more, seeming to reach out to him and
beckon. An eerie keening started in the back of his mind and grew. The impulse
to explore overwhelmed him. Even as he looked at the machine, his mind
cautioned him to stay away, but his curiosity sprouted to an uncanny level.

A little voice
in the back of his head urged him forward. Damn, but he needed to go home. His
stomach growled complaining of hours without food. His eyes burned from the
fire he'd just been on and his body cried out for sleep. Rubbing his sooty
hair, he muttered to himself.

But thoughts of
what was inside this monster contraption intrigued him more than the demands of
his body.

Walking around
the monstrosity, he kept his hand on the metal all the while looking for an
opening.What shocked him and what was
more surprising was the fact that little Bandit found the opening for him.

Bandit sat down
in front of what appeared to be a door and stared at him again. It seemed to
Sean that Bandit dared him to see what was inside. Well, he'd never been a man
who could resist a straight on challenge.

Caution...

He inhaled a
long and very deep breath. Closing his eyes he counted to ten. Even though the
day was cool, sweat beaded on his forehead. He walked into fires, lifted
burning timber, and he'd never really been afraid a day in his life.

This contrivance
terrified him.

Nerves snapping,
Sean pushed on the door. It slid sideways, revealing a dark abyss. He stepped
back. Fear raced through him, caution cried out to him but he ignored all
warnings.

Curiosity
propelled him forward.

Bandit ran
inside. "No," Sean cried out. "Dinnae....

Silence chilled
him to the bone and a cold sweat broke out on his body. Birds chirped in nearby
trees.

All seemed right
with the world—except for this machine.

"Come
here." He crouched down and called to Bandit. Bandit didn't budge. Instead
the dog cocked his head to one side and seemed to be saying. You come here.

Sean wavered
then stood his ground. Bandit seemed to like it in the machine.

And yet...

An extraordinary
golden dust swirled around him, warming him like a golden rain.